But Vidic is ahead of schedule in his rehab programme and eyeing a pre-Yuletide comeback to give United a huge boost for the second half of the season.

The Manchester derby at Eastlands on December 9 is likely to come too early for Vidic, however, so Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans are expected to continue in central defence for that one.

But Vidic could make his long-awaited comeback against Sunderland at Old Trafford six days later.

There is an outside chance Vidic could make his comeback in next Wednesday's Champions League dead-rubber against Cluj.

But there is no desire among United's medical staff to rush Vidic back and risk him suffering a fresh setback, despite him being on the brink of a return to first-team action.

Vidic was ruled out for the season last December when he twisted his right knee and suffered cruciate ligament damage in an away defeat to Swiss side Basel which saw United exit the Champions League at the group stage.

He made his comeback in United's first game of the season, a 1-0 defeat at Everton, but went under the knife again in September.